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European Council President Charles Michel calls the settlement a “sign of hope for his or her folks and for our continent.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed a “victory” for Ukraine and the European continent after European Union leaders agreed to open membership talks along with his nation, regardless of months of opposition from Hungary to Kyiv’s accession.
The choice was introduced Thursday at a summit of the 27 EU international locations, the place the bloc additionally agreed to open formal membership negotiations with Moldova.
European Council President Charles Michel, host of the summit, introduced the settlement in a social media publish, calling it “a transparent sign of hope for his or her folks and for our continent.”
Zelenskyy welcomed the choice as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, evokes and strengthens,” he mentioned in a publish on X.
The top of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned it was “a strategic choice and a day that can stay etched within the historical past of our union.”
“These international locations belong to the European household,” mentioned German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Michel mentioned the summit granted Georgia EU candidate standing and would additionally promote an EU bid from one other hopeful candidate – Bosnia and Herzegovina – as soon as it reached “the required diploma of compliance” with the factors.
From left, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob converse throughout a roundtable at an EU summit in Brussels on December 14, 2023 (Omar Havana/ AP Picture)
Hungary not within the prime room
EU diplomats mentioned Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban was not within the summit room for the vote on Ukraine however knew and agreed that different leaders would vote in his absence. For weeks, Orban had vowed to dam the deal, which he known as a “unhealthy choice” on Thursday.
“Hungary’s place is evident: Ukraine just isn’t ready for us to begin talks on EU membership,” he mentioned, calling the choice “irrational” and “inappropriate.”
The Hungarian chief had additionally pledged on the summit to disclaim Kiev 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in monetary help that the federal government desperately wants to remain afloat through the struggle with Russia.
“Twenty-six member states had been adamant that this choice needed to be taken, so Hungary has determined that if 26 member states resolve to do that, they need to go their very own manner and Hungary doesn’t wish to take part on this unhealthy choice,” Orbán mentioned.
The EU, whose members nonetheless cherish their independence in strategic and overseas affairs, usually works on the idea of consensus.
Negotiations on help to Ukraine are persevering with, Orbán mentioned.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy traveled to the US, the place he lobbied for extra US help, however his request faces main hurdles in passing the US Congress.
Some EU leaders had warned earlier within the day that failure to agree negotiations with Ukraine would have been seen as a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine launched its bid to hitch the EU after Moscow’s invasion in February 2022 and was formally named a candidate to hitch in June that 12 months.
The previous Soviet republic and neighboring nation Moldova had submitted an software similtaneously Ukraine.
The struggle in Ukraine has breathed new life into the EU’s stalled drive to recruit new members because the bloc tries to maintain Russian and Chinese language affect at bay.
In June 2022, the European Fee imposed seven reform benchmarks on Kiev to finish, together with tackling corruption and curbing the ability of the oligarchs, earlier than talks are attributable to start.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal mentioned the EU’s choice on Thursday confirmed that it “extremely appreciated the reforms now we have made in recent times and the implementation of all of the European Fee’s suggestions.”
“A tough path lies forward. We’re united and prepared,” he mentioned.
The talks themselves will possible final years.
EU treaties oblige members to help “by all means inside their energy” one other EU nation that’s the sufferer of armed aggression on its territory. If Ukraine turns into an EU member whereas the struggle with Russia continues, the EU international locations ought to respect that.
The EU would even have an extended new border with Russia and Belarus, with implications for safety, migration and protection.
Zelenskyy hails ‘victory’ as EU agrees to open membership talks for Ukraine | Information from the European Union
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